We mustn’t lose sight of Canada’s education reputation on the world stage |
International students often have different interpretations of global events, enriching the classroom experiences of their Canadian counterparts in important ways.DARRYL DYCK/The Canadian Press
Roseann O’Reilly Runte is the president and CEO of Runte and Associates, and the author of Canadians Who Innovate: The Trailblazers and Ideas that are Changing the World.
Somewhere between the political and economic considerations, we seem to have forgotten the cultural value of opening our classrooms to international students.
Education is intended to introduce new concepts to students, helping them to discover the secrets of science, the lessons that history can teach them about contemporary issues, and the possibilities that lie before them.
Few Canadian students venture beyond their home province, much less abroad. When we include international students in our classrooms, we bring the world to young Canadians. Classmates form lifelong bonds of trust through shared experiences in classes, labs, libraries and on the intramural basketball court on a Friday evening. They also become excellent........